This means that when designing an interface which will page external memory in place of the Spectrum ROM a configuration jumper or similar is required to connect the ROM disable signal to lower pin 15 on a +3, but disconnect it on a 16/48k.

This means that when designing an interface which will page external memory in place of the Spectrum ROM a configuration jumper or similar is required to connect the ROM disable signal to lower pin 15 on a +3, but disconnect it on a 16/48k.

Applying ROM paging signals to the 16/48k composite out pin does no permanent damage, but causes burst of patterning on the display.

Applying ROM paging signals to the 16/48k composite out pin does no permanent damage, but causes burst of patterning on the display.

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====CPU Clock====

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Note that the {{overline|CK}} signal was accidentally left unconnected on the Spanish version of the 128k+.

The expansion connector on the ZX Spectrum range of computers is a double sided card edge connector with a 0.1 inch spacing. The two rows of conductors are numbered from right to left looking into the rear of the computer.
One pair of conductors are missing as there is an indexing slot cut out of the circuit board.

Contents

ZX80/81 Compatibility

The ZX Spectrum expansion connector is related to (and partially compatible with) the earlier ZX80 and ZX81 expansion connector, though only the data bus, low address lines, and a subset of the control bus remain in the same locations relative to the index slot. Lines not physically present on the ZX80/ZX81 edge connector are shown with underlining of their numbers in the diagram shown here.

ZX Spectrum model differences

The three main "generations" of the ZX Spectrum each provide a slightly different set of signals on the connector and are described fully in the following articles: 16/48k, 128k, +3/+2A/+2B.

This article and the table on the right attempts to describe a compatible pinout which is consistent across all models. Only signals and supplies which are present on 'all' models are listed. The remaining pins are designated NC for simplicity but be aware that on different models those pins will in fact be connected.

An interface which uses only the signals shown should work on any model of ZX Spectrum.

ROM disable pins

The Spectrum 16/48k and Spectrum+ 128k both provide ROMCS on lower pin 25. By holding this pin high an external peripheral can prevent the Spectrum's ROM from driving the data bus, and place its own ROM or RAM within the first 16k of the 64k memory space.

The +3 and its derivatives however have two physical ROM chips and each have their output enable routed to the expansion port. These two OE (Output Enable) pins are upper pin 4, and lower pin 15. Upper pin 4 was not connected on any of the earlier models, but lower pin 15 was used for composite video out on the 16/48k. Lower pin 25 (ROMCS) is not connected on the +3/+2A/+2B and lower pin 15 is unused on the 128k.

This means that when designing an interface which will page external memory in place of the Spectrum ROM a configuration jumper or similar is required to connect the ROM disable signal to lower pin 15 on a +3, but disconnect it on a 16/48k.
Applying ROM paging signals to the 16/48k composite out pin does no permanent damage, but causes burst of patterning on the display.

CPU Clock

Note that the CK signal was accidentally left unconnected on the Spanish version of the 128k+.